Recently when i tweeted about wanting to start a Design Cafe and looking for partners, i received more than 100 emails and many comments.
Everyone seems to have thought of this, so obviously its not a new idea, but this kicks everyones imagination. Here i have detailed the idea a bit more. I am ready to take this further. You are welcome to join in. You are also welcome to take the idea further on your own. Ideas are free.
So here it is in proper format. 🙂
Project Proposal for Design Cafe
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Objective
Objective is to provide a friendly, comfortable, Design lead atmosphere, where customers can receive quality food, drinks, service as reasonable prices.
Goals
Goal is to offer a hub for creative people, professionals, students and enthusiasts of a city.
Solution
Design Cafe offers what other cafes offer and more. It offers facilities for networking, presenting, lecture, talk and events to creative community. A regular place to go and ask for creative resources.
Project Outline
Open all days of the week 11 am till 11 pm. DC will save a variety of Coffee choices, soft drinks, healthy drinks, tasty treats, bakery as well as design objects, books for sale and surf.
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STRATEGY
Short Term
Start two places in Pune, document the standardisations of space, ambiance, uniform and training. Use digital and local media to become the adda.
Long Term
Expand business to 100 other locations with in one year.
Strategy
Work hard to become the most popular/ cool hangout for creative people. Keep focus on Design to promote awareness, and keep target for enthusiasts for business.
DC has to be a financially viable option for investors and owners, but it should promote Indian Arts, Design.
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SWOT analysis
STRENGTHS:
Reasonable prices, Design Ambiance and variety of coffee and drinks + food.
WEAKNESS:
Startup cost, New Business, New Idea. No reputation
OPPORTUNITIES:
No such cafe exists as a chain, even in isolation they do not offer so much on Design/ Art /Crafts.
THREATS:
Starbucks, CCDs, Local cafes, McDonalds, Book stores and many such competitions.
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Intellectual properties:
Besides the Unique Design, identity, Uniforms there is a emphasis to create a “Helping Design Culture”. This will be a documented IP for training of staff.
The Chain will be linked online and offer certain proprietary events/ happenings / ambassadors to community.
DC will also have a unique partnership programme with cultural centers, embassies, Art and Design institutions. This will be Local, National and International.
DC will also have its own merchandise programme.
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LOCATIONS
DCs will be located in Prime areas of a city, City can have multiple DC, beyond 10 Kms.
Some cities may have DCs in not so prime areas as well, once the brand is established.
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Legal Structure
Design Cafe’s will be owned by one person in terms of space and inventory. The Brand Will be owned by the holding company. Each Cafe will try and get 4 to 6 prominent designers as founders of that DC. Each founder payed Rs. 1 lac to the DC owner. This way DC owners collect money and buy in for the Franchise. Founders get a special treatment and special discount and other privileges in all DCs everywhere. A separate handbook on Founders role and responsibilities will be issued separately.
DC will enlist ambassadors from Art / Design / Film / Fashion category to lead opinions amongst community. Ambassadors will be common to all DCs.
All legalities to run the business will be owned by the owner.
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Accounting
All DCs will run a online POS system.
The sales analysis and data will be shared in real time will all DCs.
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Market
Target Market: Anyone who enjoys a good ambiance and a cup of coffee.
Competition: CCD, Starbucks, Bookstore cafes
Trends: People like good music, good ambiance and good drinks.
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Marketing Plan
DC app is where you can order, and get to know whats happening and when. this is where you get coupons and discounts and freebees.
Budget for social media marketing and events marketing. Invest heavily in word of mouth publicity and in digital plans.
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Start Up costs
Incorporation
Licenses and permits
Insurance
Legal
Equipment
Space Design
Branding
App and Systems
Staff Salaries
Deposits and Rents
Marketing and Launch
Operational Costs
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Financial Need Summary
I will be putting in some investments of my own, I will need finances to scale this. I am happy to discuss financial proposals from prospective investors. I also open to crowdfunding this project.
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Break Even
DC holding will break even in 3 years time, because of costs involved in Startup.
I expect each DC owner to break even with in one year.
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Copyrights
This is idea is open for you to make it your own. I will be happy if you want to involve me.
Obviously i have not revealed the game changers in this summary here, but i do have a few hidden cards.
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Can’t really invest at the time being, but I want to be a part of it somehow. I love design and I love food ! This is just perfect.
Thank you RIddhi. I hope i get to make this real, and then perhaps you can participate in it.
Sudhir,
count me in. i don’t have much in terms of cash to invest, but can contribute in other ways. especially, in bringing this to Bangalore, where i have been based since 2011.
i also have some experience in being a guest chef in Chicago, and have some killer recipes for finger food that goes splendid with DegreeFilterCoffee, typically Bangalore, more than any place on the planet, including Madras, now Chennai. we can combine short workshops, three-four hours, to go with the coffee. and a place where design students can come and interact with those in the industry… to learn what they NEVER teach you in Design school!
what better than a DCafe? an attached D-Lounge with a bar….
count me in!
mouli marur
9900767125
Absolutely fantastic to “learn what they never teach you at D school”… yes i need serious Chef help..have no clue to that side of Cafe yet. Thanks mouli. you are in.
Sounds good, but little ahead of time in places where design awareness is low. Pune is great, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Gurgaon too. How can it click in Indore I am thinking. Will love to be updated. Thanks-
You are right, perhaps start with the bigger cities and then start in smaller ones too.
Your Idea is a need for current generation. If possible please loop me in, as I’m a creative design enthusiast and a user experience evangelist who is looking for an exposure to work in Design Industry.
Will loop you in for sure. thanks.
Nice concept Sudhir – Niche Market product – addon events will be attraction – Whats there for Mass
What do you expect to be put (financially) in the startup.
i am guessing in Pune to start two places at one go would cost about 1cr +..
Mass will enjoy the spirit and buzz at the place.
May be u could also have a reference library of art..culture books & periodicals as the students of art of all ages absolutely need some space for such libraries.
yes library for sure and also a good music collection, also plans for instagram wall and tweeter deck..
Hi
I want to start this in Lucknow. Don’t have the funds for it, but have been planning the same for a year now, as I frequently need to collaborate with design professionals for my projects. This will provide me a platform to do that and besides the idea can come to the fore as the present govt. in UP is inviting fresh ideas. In case you’re interested in collaborating we can send a common pitch for funding from the govt.
i doubt if government will partner in a cafe..but sure we can collaborate..Lucknow will be a great place to have one D Cafe.
Namaskar
This definitely is going to be a art revolution in contrast to the new comedy crackhouses and the sportbars and whatnots of mumbai.
Its a really good idea to have such design pockets around town for artists get a stage enabling them for their act. And who doesn’t love to chill with an artist.
You must have it in process but the whole idea planting stage needs an online platform. A platform that also acts as a loading room (from the matrix) for brainstorming, bringing research and badass infographics for a oft forgotten design process.
An adfree app that has a sense of a real purpose. Makes sure the documentation of the entire process becomes a commendable art movement that the enduser gets tender design love and care . A small little wrinkle i fear is the break-even goals might mean unaffordable schemes tailored for the urban affluent. The association with a “franchise” can agitate the deep seated feelings of mistrust in the newest oppressed career-starter. So going online merges that divide and fuels motivation. Understandably the website has to be ridiculously rich with world class content and A comment section like no other that is the life of the website.It gives that necessary feedback and crit.
I like how this blog has drawn some very interesting people viz chicago chefs, library scientists,evangelists and the utopian believers
I am starting out and like many other freelancers enthusiastic about many things. Design(Architecture) Food(indianfusions) Sports(climbing) Arts(Murals) Music(postrock).I would love to discuss and play the parts if need be.
Cheers.
Design follows Awareness
Hi Soumya, we are all very similar. Finances are the real world we have to live in, and thats why scale is important..scale is what will differentiate and make an impact. you thoughts on App and website are very good and i will draw from them. WIll be happy to get some help from you when i reach there.
Its a good concept, However, I believe there are lot of big threats around it. But if we can start something of this sort with the regional food, for an example @ Pune : Misal pav and stuff . I probably feel it would attract a lot of audience.
We get this regional food in small bits and pieces across the city, but one place which is as attractive as the CCDS and others which could give regional food, I believe it would make wonders.
I’m not to sure how this would Help, but thought of giving my inputs
Hi Vallabh, Regional street food will be great to have in a hygienic environment. I have started enjoying Pani-Puri once again in its new avatar at hotels. Thank you for your inputs.
I’d like to know more about how one participates in this. I am a graphic designer from Nashik [ & believe it or not, my family has a small coffee plantation! :)]